Need opinions: 392 510hp HEMI or Supercharged 440?

[NYCMille]

Hi guys -

Need some opinions on some ideas I had for the 68. I have REALLY been itchin' to put more power into the Charger and have REALLY been considering doing an engine swap to the 392 HEMI's when they are released in March - I spoke to a company in Arkansas that just converted a Satellite with a 6.1 Hemi for SEMA and the conversion went great according to them. In speaking with them at length I found that they will begin selling kits for the B-bodys to mate the new 392 HEMI to a Viper 6-speed tranny. I sent him a pic of my car and they said I may be able to be the first client to have this application done. The pro to this conversion would be the power and reliability of a new fuel injected motor with A/C and fuel milleage, the Viper 6-speed and of course the "HOLY CRAP!" factor when you open the hood.

The other option is to keep the existing 440, drop in some low compression pistons and supercharge the bastard. I would really have to change all that much as I already have a GearVendors OD unit installed. Obviously the full engine & tranny swap are more expensive, but it would be offset somewhat by selling my existing 440, 727, GV Unit.

I WILL be doing something, just haven't decided on what... whattya' ya'll think? Give me some opinions ladies and gents... I'm all ears.

Cheers - Mike

[Recharger]

Considering the other upgrades/updates your car has, I'd vote for the 392.   A fuel injected Hemi with those suspension upgrades would make for one badass 68.   There's also a definite cool factor involved if you can claim to be the first guy on the block with the new powerplant.  

The only thing that would change my mind is if you had the #s engine in there.   You don't do you?

I'll start off the bidding on your OD unit...let's say...$20     

[Blown70]

Ok, I do have to ask why the 392? 

I always like a supercharger so, I say the 440.  However the look of the Hemi is nice even if it is a 392

[Orange_Crush]

Ok, I do have to ask why the 392?  

I always like a supercharger so, I say the 440.   However the look of the Hemi is nice even if it is a 392

He's referring to the NEW 392 EFI magnum that's going to be offered as a crate engine.

Personally, I'd go for the 392 just for the "cool factor" of it.  Theres already way too many blown 440s out there.

[firefighter3931]

What's wrong with a 500hp pump gas 440 ? Throw an efi induction system on it for efficiency if you've got the bucks.   

Ron

[NYCMille]

Ya' see... this is why I need opinions. These are my pro's and cons.

Pro's for 392 Hemi:   
- Fuel injection     
- Reliability                     
- Wow factor               
- Gas mileage
- Power
- Viper 6-Speed
- Being the first kid on the block with it done
- Value increaser? (don't know though)

Con's:
- Cost of conversion
- Not being able to work on it myself
- Custom Job
- Computers
- Not as powerful as a blown 440

Pro's for Blown 440:     
- Cost (much less expensive)                 
- Wow factor               
- More POWER than 392
- Value increaser? (don't know though)

Con's:
- Reliablity
- Mileage


Can anyone think of others?

[Johnny SixPack]

Mike, from what I've gathered about your final plans, I really think the 392 is the better idea.

You're going with more of a GT, or road racer approach, no?

I really think the 392 would work better in that end (not to mention the 6-speed!).

Will there also be any weight costs/gains?

[Orange_Crush]

Ya' see... this is why I need opinions. These are my pro's and cons.

Pro's for 392 Hemi:     
- Fuel injection        
- Reliability                                
- Wow factor                       
- Gas mileage
- Power
- Viper 6-Speed
- Being the first kid on the block with it done
- Value increaser? (don't know though)

Con's:
- Cost of conversion
- Not being able to work on it myself
- Custom Job
- Computers
- Not as powerful as a blown 440

Pro's for Blown 440:        
- Cost (much less expensive)                          
- Wow factor                       
- More POWER than 392
- Value increaser? (don't know though)

Con's:
- Reliablity
- Mileage


Can anyone think of others?

Might want to take "value increaser" out of the equation.   Neither one is gonna "increase" the value of a '68 R/T.   The way a '68 R/T will be worth the most is restored to factory specs.   Now if it was a /6, 318, or 383 Charger, it'd be a different story.

As far as not being able to work on the 392 yoursel, I disagree.

You don't have to worry about many of the things that make today's car engine management systems so complicated, i.e. brake and traction control, stability programs, airbag deployment systems, transmission controls, etc.

The only thing your ecu controls is your engine...any other type of "shade-tree work" could still be performed and, from what I've heard, things like timing, A/F ratio, idle, etc will have the ability to be controlled via laptop as, by several accounts, the ECU for this engine will be easily programmable.   In any case, they're also gonna offer a carbuereted version.

[Shakey]

I think cars that have something sticking out of the hood should also have side pipes - which also went out back in the '70's.

[firefighter3931]

Well, while we're spending money why not just go with a fuel injected 493 tucked all nice and neat under the hood. Easy 550hp and more torque than you'll ever be able to plant from a dead stop (600 ftlbs). Idle at 850rpm with cold A/C blowing and able to rip easy 11's off at the track with some slicks if you want to. Throw in the keisler 5spd for hwy cruising if you want a stick or keep the gear vendors OD unit.

You'll be eating Vipers for lunch and looking awefully damned good doing it !   

Ron

[41husk]

CudaKen has a complete blower set up he would love to have some one take off his hands and that would definetly be easier on the wallet than a crate hemi

[Orange_Crush]

If you ARE going for a g machine/road racer type thing, then the 392 is DEFINITELY more suited to your needs.   Smaller and much lighter than an RB engine PLUS, if you're really feeling crazy, you can modify the engine mounts and move it farther back and give yourself nearly 50/50 weight dist.   PLUS, if you DO want to dragrace it occasionally, you have better weight transfer for a good launch.

[NYCMille]

The supercharger would be a pro-charger unit, totally concealled under the hood. http://www.procharger.com/superchargers.shtml

formula_440 -   you are correct, I am going with more of a pro-touring look and feel and the 392 would be lighter (I think) than the 440.

The other option is too go with the 392 and keep the existing 727/Gear Vendors combo that I already have since I am very happy with that set-up, although I'm not sure that's possible yet. What I am looking for in the end, it big USABLE power, reliability, wow and fun factor... and I really can't lie about this, but I want this car to be EXTREMELY fast, the futher suspension mods I have planned will compensate for the increase power.

Please keep the suggestions coming - how would you built it?

Again, thanks for the replys.

[Blown70]

I would not say a blown 440 cannot be reliable or have   good mileage.   Keep in mind it will be one of the most efficient engines due to the supercharger.   It depends on which supercharger you get and how hard you are going to spin that supercharger.   ONLY thing you will have to worry about is not to exceed the 750Hp range on a stock 440 block for long your you will have two parts upper and lower

As far as wow.... Well, you could always hook a 5 spd to the blown 440?   right?   Keisler?   I have not done it but I would belive you could do so.

Also, EFI is definately nice, either way you get the WOW factor.   Power on a blown 440 is going to be good.   To be honest.   I would take out the duplicates on the pros list for both and see what you have left.

Tom

[Troy]

Everything on your car is modernized/customized so if you have the cash for the new Hemi and 6-speed then it would fit the overall package better. I think the 392 is lighter as well which should help the corner carving duties but I don't know exactly. I think you'll get the response and performance you want out of that combo AND it will be unique - at least for a while. I agree with OC on the value. Keep the 440 in case you ever decide to make it look "stock" because that's where the value is in a 68 R/T. I'd say there will be a momentary jump in the value *IF* you sell the car immediately after dropping in the new drivetrain but after that it will probably be worth about the same as it is now. Have you thought about just adding EFI to the existing 440 and tweaking the power curve?

Troy

[Doc74]

Pro's for 392 Hemi:   

- Viper 6-Speed

Lots of pros for both but I would definitly go for the hemi, above reason alone is enough to pull me to that side.And driving it a lot like you do, mileage is a factor certainly to consider these days, we all have to face it.

But now on to more serious matter......you selling those rims?.....

[dkn1997]

hey mike,

put in the 392 in the charger and put the 440 in the camaro....nuff said.

[0royalblue6]

noob question: couldnt you just do a stroker kit to make the 440 a 493/496 then match it with a nice 5 speed?

[bull]

What's wrong with a 500hp pump gas 440 ? Throw an efi induction system on it for efficiency if you've got the bucks.   

Ron

I'd say he's got the bucks if he's considering a crate 392 as the alternative. Either way you'd save a lot of money and get great results by tweaking the engine you have now.

[6pkrunner]

A blower is a real neat toy and a great attention getter, but prolonged use on the street gets old fast. Good for the cruise nights and Saturday squirt and stops, but not the 5 hour leisurely drive hot ticket. The 6 speed EFI is a nice drivetrain - but its your call.

[THE CHARGER PUNK]

I  vote for the 392 hemi connected to the viper 6-speed tranny, that would really help you pro touring with your car, and did u hear goody's dads car off c-c.com when chip foose smoked the the tires? my god that 392 hemi sounds mean for a new motor-MATT

[mikesbbody]

i think your decision to go with a stroker was the right one and definitly more affordable dont know what way you were going with your car (g machine, pro street etc) also dont know if your supercharger was a underhood type? or through the hood style? good luck and i think you made the right choice 

[Rolling_Thunder]

well - with a 496 (i know someone running one  ) and I am swapping onto a fuel injection set up -    both for ease of tuning, economy, and coolness factor

[RD]

Actually the decision has been made already - we're going to go with a 496 stroker, not only is it the cheapest way to go but the bang for the buck is HUGE! - I should be able to get 550-600hp without too much trouble... I'll post pics in the upcoming months.

Mike!!  Awesome choice!! now get a set of 440 Hemi Heads and call it good hehehehe

[0royalblue6]

ok so i guess that is a good idea? well anyway good luck and cant wait to see the finish!

[LivedodgeItaly]

Good morning you all...nice problem...
and if you do something like this???
you better than me know what it is, am I right??

Regards
Andrea

[LivedodgeItaly]

..not my car  but for sale now in Germany!!!
the same shop did a conversion to 360 new fuel injected engine (now for sale as well)..with gorgeous results.... on a brown 70 charger...4 power disk brakes ect...

I'm not able to give ideas about the convertions...here in Europe a nice 2nd gen charger is in between 18000-24000 euros (both Big and small block)
..good luck

Andrea

[OttawaCharger]

Umm.. Guys.. this post is over a year old.  I imagine that he has made his decision by now.   

[Ghoste]

Which he pointed out just a few posts above.